ICAP Leopard - transatlantic speed record attempt

by Pitch PR on 27 May 2008
At 00:01 GMT Tuesday, ICAP Leopard, the Farr designed 100 foot super maxi yacht owned by Mike Slade, officially began her transatlantic speed record attempt from Ambrose Light, off New York. In order to beat the current record of eight days, three hours and 29 minutes set by 246 foot yacht Phocea in July 1988, she will need to cross the finish line at Lizard Point Lighthouse before 03:30 GMT on Wednesday 4 June.

Chris Sherlock, Boat Captain aboard ICAP Leopard, commented: 'We got off to a fairly quick start from Ambrose Light, passing it just after midnight (UTC), doing around 27 knots. It has been a very fast, wet and windy first 12 hours. We are all settling into our watch system, trying to eat the required amount of freeze dried food to refuel and then rest before getting drenched for another four hour stint on deck with the boat speed anywhere between 20 and 30 knots.

Sailing with a crew of 12, ICAP Leopard could shave several hours off the current 2,925 nautical mile World Speed Sailing Records Council (WSSRC) monohull record for a yacht with power-assisted winches.

The record was set by Phocea in July 1988. Whilst Slade is confident that ICAP Leopard can break the record, the crew will be hoping that the weather window which they have chosen will provide them with consistent wind until the finish. The first three days are set to be fast, with boat speed in excess of 25 knots expected.

Mike Slade, Chief Executive of London based property company Helical Bar plc commented: 'The transatlantic record is one of the ‘holy grails’ of yachting and something that all offshore sailors dream of holding. As always it has been difficult finding a suitable weather window in which to begin he record attempt. However we will give it our best shot and with the right conditions we are confident we could set a new 24 hour speed sailing record as well as the transatlantic record.'

Upon ICAP Leopard’s arrival in the UK, Slade plans to race the superyacht on the British circuit, competing in the Round Ireland Race and the JP Morgan Round the Island Race, where the maxi yacht made her debut last year. She will then compete in several European events over the Summer.

Crew:

1. Chris Sherlock – Australia
2. Paul Stanbridge - UK
3. Mark Thomas – Australia
4. Tim Sellars - Australia
5. Zane Gills - Australia
6. Barnaby Henshaw Depledge – UK
7. Ross Monson – Ireland
8. Paul Quinn – New Zealand
9. Gian Ahluwalia – Argentinia
10. Ben Morrison Jack - Australia
11. Jonathan Carter - Bermuda
12. Matthew Richardson - UK